“All of our associates are helping other customers. Your call is important to us. Please remain on the line and an agent will be with you as soon as one becomes available. …”
Minutes tick by as music plays on a loop.
My heartbeat spikes when the tune is suddenly interrupted … Finally …
“All of our associates are helping other customers. Your call is important to us. Please remain on the line and an agent will be with you when one becomes available. If you would like a call-back, press 1 to leave your phone number. You will not lose your place in line.”
I won’t take the offer. I don’t believe they will ever call me back.
Why should they? I am not calling to wish them good fortune. I am calling to try and fix a problem … or cancel a subscription … or figure out whether this official-looking letter seeking payment is a scam … or worse … a scam that is imperfectly legit, just deceptive.
This never feels good.
I hate myself a little more as I hang on the line.
No matter what I do, I am THAT WOMAN.
The one who is not satisfied. The one who may never be satisfied with the answer you give her.
The woman who makes them mute the phone while they get the attention of the person in the next cubicle for a laugh while they exchange rude gestures.
The one who has become a meme:
“Karen wants to speak to the manager.”
I try to keep the irritation from my voice.
I know their job is thankless.
I know they don’t make the rules.
But I just wanted to cancel my…
